Author recounts Manzanar memories

Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, co-author of "Farewell to Manzanar" and author of "The Legend of Fire Horse Woman," will speak on the Japanese internment during World War II from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.

Wakatsuki Houston wrote "Manzanar" with her husband, James D. Houston, based on her family's internment experience. They also turned the story into a screenplay that won a Humanitas Prize and a 1976 Emmy Award nomination. The book is in its 63rd printing.

Admission to "From Manzanar to Honouliuli: Reflections by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston" is free. Wakatsuki Houston's books will be sold and she will be available to sign them. Call 945-7633 or e-mail info@jcch.com.

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Into the imu

Add a touch of the luau to your Thanksgiving meal -- have your turkey steam-cooked below ground, in an imu.

The Kailua High School Athletic Program has space for 350 turkeys (or the equivalent in pork butts or other big hunks of meat) in a Thanksgiving imu.

Drop off is 3 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 22 and pick up from 8 to 10 a.m. the next morning. Pack food in a large, disposable aluminum baking tray, well-wrapped in foil. Meats must be thawed and weight maximum is 25 pounds.

Cost is $15 per tray, to benefit athletic programs. Make checks payable to Kailua High School and mail to the school at 451 Ulumanu Drive, Kailua, 96734. Write "Attention Mel Imai -- IMU" in the lower left corner of the envelope. Include name and telephone number, plus a self-addressed, stamped, envelope so your confirmation ticket can be mailed to you.

Escoffier day

Mark the 160th anniversary of the birth of culinary master Auguste Escoffier at a culinary workshop, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at La Mer at the Halekulani.

Chef Yves Garnier will lead participants in creating a three-course meal inspire by the teachings of Escoffier. After that, everyone eats.

The menu: Foie Gras Glazed with Passion Fruit, Fillet of Onaga with Chivry Sauce and Asparagus in Puff Pastry and Strawberries Sarah Bernhardt.

Cost is $150. Call 923-2311, ext. 5040.

PBS and wine

Chances are you don't need an excuse to taste wines, but the annual Vintners in Paradise provides a good one: The event is a fund-raiser for PBS Hawaii.

This year's tasting takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom.

Chambers & Chambers and Fujioka's Wine Times will provide a selection of wines from more than 50 wineries, including Grgich Hills, Far Niente, King Estate and Talley. The hotel will provide a selection of compatible foods.